The European Parliament has approved visa liberalization for Kosovo, allowing its citizens to finally travel to EU countries without having to apply for a visa first.
Through a statement, the European Parliament announced that it supports the agreement on short-stay visa freedom with Kosovo, reports SchengenVisaInfo.
“Kosovo citizens will be allowed to travel to the EU – and EU citizens to Kosovo – without applying for a visa, for periods of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. After the entry into force of the law, the entire Western Balkans region will benefit from a visa framework similar to that of the Schengen area. » reads the statement.
While welcoming the decision, the president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, considered it a monumental step forward for European integration.
“Today, the European Parliament makes history by voting positively on visa liberalization for Kosovo. This is a monumental step forward for European integration, fostering unity and expanding opportunities for all,” he pointed out on Twitter.
Last month, the European Parliament responsible for civil liberties, justice and home affairs approved the short-stay visa waiver agreement with Kosovo, allowing the final adoption of the legislation that will allow citizens of the Kosovo to travel to European Union countries without having to apply for a visa. a visa first.
The European Parliament, through a statement, revealed that with 47 votes in favor, eight against and four abstentions, the European Parliament committee expressed its support for the agreement that allows visa-free travel for Kosovo passport holders .
Last month, the Council of the European Union adopted its position at first reading regarding the visa waiver for Kosovar citizens.
Kosovo has been working for more than a decade to allow its citizens visa-free travel to EU countries.
On July 18, 2018, the European Commission considered that this Balkan country met all the necessary conditions for this process to succeed, but so far, Kosovar citizens can travel visa-free to only 15 countriesbased on Passport Index VisaGuide.World.
During the working group meeting held in October in Brussels, France proposed that the process of visa liberalization in Kosovo be linked to the operationalization of the the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
The functionalization of ETIAS was to become effective on November 1, but it was postponed again until mid-2024.
But an EU official confirmed to SchengenVisaInfo.com that the ETIAS launch date would have no impact on when Kosovo citizens would finally be eligible to travel visa-free.
“Once the text is adopted by the Council and the European Parliament, the visa exemption will apply from the date on which ETIAS begins its activities or from 1 January 2024, whichever comes first .” confirmed the official for SchengenVisaInfo.com.